Nontoxic humidifier or air-moistening means



Oct, 16, 1956 D. MCDONALD 2,767,018

NONTOXIC HUMIDIFIER OR AIR-MOISTENING MEANS Filed July 20, 1953 INVENTOR. DONALD Mc DONALD BY DESJARDINS, ROBINSON 8. KEISER HIS AT'TORNEYS United States Patent NONTOXIC HUMIDIFIER OR AIR-MOISTENIN G MEANS Donald McDonald, Louisville, Ky.

Application July 20, 1953, Serial No. 368,985

1 Claim. (Cl. 29920) This invention relates to a humidifier or air-moistening means, and it more particularly pertains to one provided with a temporary readily detachable closure seal that is easily and conveniently applied to the liquid container for sealing the humidifying liquid therein during handling and shipment and is then readily removed to expose said liquid contents when the humidifier is used.

Heretofore humidifiers of the type to which the present invention relates are shipped empty to be filled at the point of use with a humidifying liquid, such as water, and consequently the problem of sealing them at any time to prevent leakage of the liquid contents has not been presented, more especially providing a readily detachable temporary sealing cap.

Accordingly, one of the principal objects of the present invention is a humidifier prefilled with a liquid that is temporarily sealed therein until ready for use.

Another object of the invention is a humidifier which is simple in construction and efficient in operation.

Another object of the invention is a humidifier having a temporary readily detachable closure seal.

Further objects, and objects relating to details of construction and economies of operation, will readily appear from the detailed description to follow. I have accomplished the objects of my invention by the devices and means set forth in the following specification. My invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the appended claim. Structures constituting preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the invention with the readily detachable closure cap removed.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention.

The invention generally described comprises a relatively small elongated cylindrical container, in the nature of a tube or vial, formed of any suitable transparent or translucent material, such as glass or plastic, having at least one open end. The container is filled with water containing a small amount of nontoxic material mixed therewith which is resistant to mold producing fungus to prevent molding and spoilage of food products. Acetic acid is representative of such mold resistant material. The open end of the container is plugged with a wad of absorbent material, such as cotton or the like, and then closed with a readily detachable temporary closure cap to seal the liquid contents within the container to prevent any leakage during handling or shipment. At the point of use, the temporary closure cap is removed to expose the absorbent plug through which the liquid contents are diffused into the surrounding atmosphere. The humidifier 2,767,018 Patented Oct. 16, 1956 can be placed in any storage place or compartment, such as refrigerators, where food products are stored. It is, of course, adapted for many other uses to humidify the surrounding air and to prevent molding of the stored food products.

Referring specifically to the drawings in which like numerals designate like parts, numeral 1 is an elongated cylindrical container formed of any suitable transparent or translucent material such as glass or plastic. The container is in the nature of a tube or vial with an open end 2 opposite a closed bottom end 3 (Figs. 1 and 2).

The container is filled with water containing a small amount of acetic acid, after which a wad of absorbent material 4, such as cotton, is placed in the open end 2. The open end is thereafter closed and sealed by a closure cap 5 screw-threaded at 6, or otherwise fitted, to the container. The closure cap seals the container to prevent any leakage of the liquid contents therefrom during ship ment or handling of the humidifier. The closure cap may be made from any suitable material conventionally used for making bottle caps and fitted to the container in any suitable manner to be readily detachable.

In the embodiment of Fig. 3, the temporary cap is in the form of a round disc 7, having an adhesive side 8 by means of which said disc is adhered to the end of the container. The diameter of the disc may be substantially equal to that of the open end of the container, although it will be understood that it could be of a greater diameter with any marginal extension adhered to the outside wall of the neck of the container to further adhere said disc. This disc may be of any suitable material that will serve to seal the liquid within the container. A fabric impregnated with water-resisting material is suitable.

From the foregoing description of the two embodiments, the construction and use of the humidifier should be readily apparent. A number of these humidifiers may be contained in a single package for sale and are adapted for use by having one or more of them placed within the storage compartment which is to be humidified. By reason of the transparent or translucent character of the humidifiers, it can be readily visually observed when they are empty and need to be replaced. While the humidifiers are especially adapted for use in food storage compartments, their use is not thus limited.

I am aware that there may be various changes in details of construction without departing from the spirit of my invention, and, therefore, I claim my invention broadly as indicated by the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by U. S. Letters Patent, is:

A mold preventing humidifier or air moistener comprising a container having an open end, a supply of liquid within the container having mixed therein acetic acid, a. plug of absorbent material inserted in the open end of the container, and a readily detachable closure cap fitted to the plugged open end of the container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 769,864 Hall Sept. 13, 1904 1,351,263 Scherf Aug. 31, 1920 2,120,020 Coulter June 7, 1938 2,243,752 Dunaway May 27, 1941 2,537,357 Levin Jan. 9, 1951 2,616,759 Walsh Nov. 4, 1952 I 

